“…I’m the pleasure to you pain…” such chilling words that will give goosebumps , blogspot readers. SouthSide’s friends from LA recently
released their 5-track album – Stranger and she must say she got spine-tingling
chills from the dark electronic pop tone throughout the entire album. The sound
has the feel of Marilyn Manson yet it’s all Femme as this band takes the ears
into the mysterious world of a creepiness with a “stranger” especially while
listening to the opening title track. This particular song sets the mood and
pace before giving you some dance electronica during “Old Fashioned and being
haunted by Femme’s “Ghost” (loved the slink, sexiness and vibin’ sound.). Word
of caution, be careful while venturing into the “OneManTown”.

Even though not really a big fan of House Jam genre, this
reviewer recommends checking out this latest single by DJ Structure. She enjoyed
the rhythms flowing within this track. Plus, she liked the NOLA-inspired bounce
style combined with the crowd-pleasing bass drops and rises that will get your
club/party clientele excitedly bouncing to the digital twists and turns
throughout the electronic beats. Expect to find this single at a club this
summer near you, blogspot readers.

Here’s another club/party dance track in which SouthSide
liked, blogspot readers. Danny’s latest single – “My Favourite” featuring the
soft pop vocals from Macedonian singer Jova Radevska (UK). Awesome combination
of her voice breathing life to the words against Danny’s unique techno style …a
funky beat that will get the party jumping even though it’s somewhat laidback.
More like a cool down track in between a fast, lively and more bass.

If you haven’t heard about this band (like SouthSide first
did), you’ll probably hear more about them soon, blogspot readers. Perhaps, you
might recognize the name as the first unsigned band to win an MTV award or
heard this single in a Samsung commercial. What this reviewer liked about this
band (after watching the video to this song) was their unique fashion art rock
style and sound. They’re definitely NOT trying to imitate or be like anyone.
SouthSide liked the rousing yet intense energy felt throughout this track from
beginning to end. Hopefully as this band embarks on a national tour, they make
a stop in Chicago before returning to the studio to work on a full length
album.

When you want to something to mellow out within a dreamy yet
a drenched reverb sound, SouthSide suggests checking out Grounders’ latest
single – “No Ringer”. She thoroughly enjoyed floating this band’s melodic,
meditative-like soundwave, blogspot readers, amidst the gritty synth and
psychedelic, space age guitar work. There are moments when the sound shimmers
with an homage to The Velvet Underground and The Zombies however it’s not wise
to compare them to the two. Grounders reinvents the best of the two and
incorporates it especially for this particular track (featuring front man
Andrew on vocals). He has a haunting and quite mysterious way of lulling you
into the band’s dreamy trance-like rhythmic vibe.

Note – if you’re in Chicago, Grounders will be performing live
at Fizz Bar & Grill on June 20.

SouthSide would like to invite everyone to check out this
post-punk, electric shock single by the British band, Astrid’s Tea Party. Their
“Black Swan” immediately grabs your attention with an intense blast of
electronic punk rhythms before soothing the ears to cool femme fatale vocals in
front of a vibrant electro-punk sound. It’s a rockin’ mix of vocals and
electricity …a funky combination of piano synth and guitar rock to provide that
“shock” of music, blogspot readers, that will have you dancing to the beat.
Plus Astrid’s lead vocalist does add plenty of “wow” factor towards the end of
the track when pumping some soulful power of vocal angst into the chorus –
Adele has nothing on her in this department.

Need some inspiration in your life? Need to feel alive?
SouthSide suggests take a listen to this new single by Aleks Grey (Aleksander
Raftevold) and his latest single “Feel Alive”. This song bursts with such
vibrant inspirational lyrics (“…clap your hand and sing the words you like / it
doesn’t matter now / nothing matters now / you’re born to feel alive…”) and
energy that makes you feel alive (no pun intended) with Aleks and his band.
Having a catchy tune full of melodic rhythms and vocal harmonies, this
particular song was designed and written to help lift up your spirit …to give
you hope …to make you appreciate each and every day you’re living on this
earth. On a personal note, this reviewer’s daughter gave this song her own
thumbs up after taking a listen while having a bad day, blogspot readers.

Within this particular single, SouthSide can hear a bit of
her favorite electronic/dance duo, The Pet Shop Boys (maybe a bit of Depeche
Mode too), in this duo’s “Don’t Fool Yourself”, blogspot readers. Yet, she’s
not comparing Pop Noir to them because with this track, this reviewer was
dancing along to their unique rhythmic club/techno beat especially at the
bridge (where you’ll hear a bit of PSB homage). Expect to hear this track at a
club near you all summer long …it’s a fun track to be suave, sexy within Pop
Noir’s tight club scene rhythms that’s sure to keep you dancing all night.

SouthSide has found a new song to be played at the next
Nocturna / Shimmer event, blogspot readers. Shoegaze / dreampop / ethereal wave
fans, this reviewer highly suggests checking out this single “Voices” by Lights
That Change. Though finding herself slowly moving along to the haunting yet
mysterious vocals by Mandy, it was mainly the music behind the hypnotic siren
that truly caught SouthSide’s immediate attention. Think The Cure mixed with a
dash of Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins when listening to this particular song
– it’s an homage to the three not imitating them. The dreampop sound with a
touch of ethereal wave punk will definitely keep you flowing within the mystic
melodic rhythms.

Followers

About Me

Who is SouthSide?
Well, she's Chicago's only partyin' local scene queen who covers (mostly) everything that's rockin' a venue, fest, art show and more for over a decade. And was at one time photographed as one of Chicago's Very Own (WGN-TV's ad campaign).
She enjoys hanging out with bands from around town as well as nationally and internationally ...plus has interviewed many famous rock icons like Don Brewer, Rudy Sarzo, V Is For Villains, Nate Z, Valerie Pettiford, Emilio Castillo and more.
She has met and reviewed bands like The Parlotones (from South Africa), Lenhen (from Austria), Chateau Marmont (from France), 30 Seconds to Mars, Tower of Power, Lucid Ground, Grand Funk Railroad, The Polkaholics and many, many more.
She hopes you enjoy reading about her adventures in this blog as much as she has experienced them.